Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We’re starting to search for our first home and want to keep the budget around $250k. I know that’s not a lot and won’t get us a mansion in Westchester. But we’re ok with a starter home, foreclosure or fixer upper, since we’re going to put our taste into any home anyway.
The must haves are at least 3 bedrooms, backyard, drive way and decent schools.
As much as a bad rap Mt Vernon gets, the area close to the Dyre Ave 5 train is an option or anywhere close to the Mt Vernon East Metro North.
Pelham is out of the budget, although it seems to be a great area and has good schools.
We plan to drive down to the Bx for trains if we need to so we don’t want to be too far north.
So any other areas we should check????
We’re starting to search for our first home and want to keep the budget around $250k. I know that’s not a lot and won’t get us a mansion in Westchester. But we’re ok with a starter home, foreclosure or fixer upper, since we’re going to put our taste into any home anyway.
The must haves are at least 3 bedrooms, backyard, drive way and decent schools.
As much as a bad rap Mt Vernon gets, the area close to the Dyre Ave 5 train is an option or anywhere close to the Mt Vernon East Metro North.
Pelham is out of the budget, although it seems to be a great area and has good schools.
We plan to drive down to the Bx for trains if we need to so we don’t want to be too far north.
So any other areas we should check????
For the most part, you will be limited to Yonkers and Mt Vernon. You my also look south of white plains, but the picking in the range are slim. Anything else with be either a coop or a very small lot a with a very small house. The issue is, the land itself in most areas with good schools is worth more than $200,000 for a lot big enough for a decent house and yard, so you will have a hard time. But a realtor can help. Consider a buyers agent, like The Buyer's Edge in Tarrytown, who can help.
When you filter it down to 3+ bedrooms and a yard (eliminating coop and condo apartment style homes), the list is very small and usually in poor school districts, but there are a few. If the OP will include the north county, there are more in better school districts, but it is a difficult price point with the desire for a yard/single family home. Again, there are out there, i wish the OP luck. I might start to look in NJ. You can get far more home/property a 45 minute drive out in NJ than in Westchester. Schools are not bad either.
When you filter it down to 3+ bedrooms and a yard (eliminating coop and condo apartment style homes), the list is very small and usually in poor school districts, but there are a few. If the OP will include the north county, there are more in better school districts, but it is a difficult price point with the desire for a yard/single family home. Again, there are out there, i wish the OP luck. I might start to look in NJ. You can get far more home/property a 45 minute drive out in NJ than in Westchester. Schools are not bad either.
I agree. Bloomfield and Nutley in New Jersey would be better financially than Westchester.
New Jersey's property taxes are high, but if you add up Westchester's county tax, school tax with property tax, Westchester's total tax is more than New Jersey's.
For the most part, you will be limited to Yonkers and Mt Vernon. You my also look south of white plains, but the picking in the range are slim. Anything else with be either a coop or a very small lot a with a very small house. The issue is, the land itself in most areas with good schools is worth more than $200,000 for a lot big enough for a decent house and yard, so you will have a hard time. But a realtor can help. Consider a buyers agent, like The Buyer's Edge in Tarrytown, who can help.
Many people in Yonkers use private schools. From what I've been told, the sayings is "Yonkers has low taxes but makes up for it in private school tuition."
Many people in Yonkers use private schools. From what I've been told, the sayings is "Yonkers has low taxes but makes up for it in private school tuition."
I have heard that too. But, to be honest, Yonkers does not have overall significantly lower taxes, it just changes what the taxes are called. Yonkers has a lower property tax rate, but if you live in Yonkers, you pay the City income tax in addition to State Income tax. So for higher wage individuals, its a wash between Yonkers and other parts of westchester. It is obviously dependent on the income tax bracket of an individual and the specific property tax rate and value, but its not really a great deal for most people, even before private school. but for some people, it can be a savings. As always, everyone should consider all the tax though before making a choice.
We’re starting to search for our first home and want to keep the budget around $250k. I know that’s not a lot and won’t get us a mansion in Westchester. But we’re ok with a starter home, foreclosure or fixer upper, since we’re going to put our taste into any home anyway.
The must haves are at least 3 bedrooms, backyard, drive way and decent schools.
As much as a bad rap Mt Vernon gets, the area close to the Dyre Ave 5 train is an option or anywhere close to the Mt Vernon East Metro North.
Pelham is out of the budget, although it seems to be a great area and has good schools.
We plan to drive down to the Bx for trains if we need to so we don’t want to be too far north.
So any other areas we should check????
I would think you're better off staying in Northeast instead of going to Westchester County. Your downpayment will be higher, but your property taxes will always be lower, and I don't think school matters between the northeast Bronx, Yonkers, or Mount Vernon. Northeast may have the slight edge on that one.
And I only mentioned those places because of your price point.
__________________
"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
